Every Waking Moment Doesn't Need To Be Blogged

Anybody that knows my daughter and me know that we love being on the move. From the time she was a tiny baby up to now, she's been my roadie for the last few years. Once I started blogging and writing about our adventures, forget about it. We were up and down the road creating blog-worthy experiences and Pinnable moments. I feel incredibly blessed for the opportunities that we've been able to have because of my work, and they have really enhanced our lives.

You know what, though? Every mom moment doesn't have to be blogged. Last night, my husband had to work late and Ayva and I were able to get some quality girl time in. I caught up on her life with some lively conversation, put together puzzles, and discovered more about the type of houses that children around the world live in thanks to a new library book. The thing about last night that was different than many other nights of our Ayva/Mommy time is that I didn't have the camera out, or my phone near to snap a pictures and post our time together on Instagram. (Of course, I am writing about it now. I'm a blogger. I can't help myself.)

Honestly, even more than wanting to record our times together to create a blog post, I worry about forgetting something. I mean, she's growing up so quickly! Even though folks warned me, I had no idea these years would go by so fast. Already, there are so many memories from when she was little that kind of sneak up on me when I'm not expecting it. Memories of sweet moments, or precious looks that made me melt as a new mom, and that still have the same effect now. I don't want to lose any memories, y'all. So, I carry my camera everywhere I go, and have my phone in my hand on every outing.

Can I just tell you...it's exhausting.

Yesterday, though, it was different. I decided to do quality time like they did it in the olden days. Sans expensive digital camera. Sans incredibly intelligent smart phone. Sans my Instagram followers and Facebook friends. Just Ayva and me. Y'all...she noticed. Ayva could tell that she had 100% of my focus, and she opened up even more than usual, and got comfortable because she didn't have to be on for Mommy Paparazzi. She asked more questions, and was way more calm than usual, not even getting upset when we had a hard time putting together one of the more challenging puzzles.

When it was time for bedtime, because she had received all of the attention that she wanted and needed, she went without any complaint. Even when I realized I had sent her to bed too early (What can I say? I thought it was way later than six o'clock!), she was content to stay in her bed, falling asleep in just a few minutes.

What lesson does this teach me? Every waking moment doesn't need to be blogged. Sometimes I just need to be with Ayva. Turn everything off, clear my mind, and give my child the one thing that she needs the most—attention. Forget about Pinterest, forget about blog post pageviews, and put the quality back into quality time. And so what if ten years from now I forget about this one evening because there aren't 60 pictures documenting it? Hopefully, twenty years from now, the memory will come back, out of nowhere, and make me smile.

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